Dragonpecker

Description

There are many relationships in nature. Not only are there predator-prey relationship, and parasitic relationships, but there are symbiotic relationship, where both parties benefit, neither at the expense of the other. In the wilder areas of the world, one may find a group of birds generally referred to as oxpeckers, birds that have adopted to a life with and on large animals. They survive by feeding on the ticks and pests that plague the beasts (as well as small amounts of the blood that oozes from the wounds). In return, the animal (generally a creature such as a buffalo, rhino, or elephant), benefits from having their own early warning system, warning their hosts of danger with their sharp eyes. It is a good relationship for both parties, as both the mammals have fewer parasites on them and are warned of danger (as any hunter will attest), and the oxpeckers stay healthy and well fed.

Nature duplicates such relationships with the dragonpecker. The dragons, as intelligent as they are, are still plagued by their own versions of ticks, flies, and other vermin (particularly the less intelligent dragons). Even the most evil of dragons provide safety for these birds, as they pick and clean their way over the immense bodies of these scaly beasts. Further, they serve to deal with small vermin that find their way into the cave, even creatures as large as giant rats and the various giant insects, spiders, and scorpions.

While dragons do not graze in the field like herd animals, providing the birds an opportunity to perch on their backs and look for danger, they provide other ways of warning their hosts. Generally a group of dragonpeckers "adopts" any one given dragon. The group rotates, with some staying with the dragon and in his lair, and those whose turn it is not to feed, remain outside the lair, seeking any harm that may come. They may be found perched on rocks or trees, or soaring above. They know that the dragon is their life, and are quite alert to possible dangers to 'their" dragon, most notably adventurers.

Experienced dragon slayers learn to recognize the dragonpecker. Such hunters are both alert to the possibility of being spotted by the dragonpecker, whose calls will alert the dragon, and also to the fact that the mere sight of one can clue a person in on a hidden lair. One must be careful though; dragonpeckers have keen vision, and there is an extremely good chance that they will spot intruders (treat as detect invisible 25% of the time, and reduce effectiveness of a thief ability to hide in shadows by half). Further, dragonpeckers are known to flee these hunters, acting as if they were leading them to the dragon when in reality they lead them away, perhaps over quicksand (in the case of dragonpeckers around black dragons) or a cliff (in the case of many mountain species).

Combat

Dragonpeckers are not highly effective combatants. They generally prefer flight and letting the dragon do all the work of defense. If pressed, they can attack with their talons and beak thrusts, but this is generally of last resort.

An interesting note is that dragonpeckers that are fairly old begin to pick up strange traits from the dragons they feed on. In their quest for pests and parasites, dragonpeckers often ingest a lot of blood, and it is this blood that may impart the special abilities of a dragonpecker (a 25% chance that any dragonpecker has these imparted abilities). I do no list all of the potential abilites, but here are some suggestions:

Habitat/Society

The habitat of the dragonpecker is the dragon. Dragonpeckers are found with all types of dragons, and as a result are found from glaciers with white dragons to parched deserts with blue, red, brass, and copper dragons. It is very rare to encounter a dragonpecker that is not associated with a dragon (such a dragonpecker will not have the imparted abilities listed above), but if found will be in wilder regions that are known to have dragons.

Society-wise the dragonpeckers exist in small family groups, each group attached to a particular dragon. It is not unheard of the offspring of a dragon being attended by offspring of the dragonpeckers from one of the parents. In addition, generations of the same dragonpeckers are often associated with the same dragon.

Ecology

Dragonpeckers only exist with dragons, as they have difficulty surviving without them. Their fare consists of giant ticks, insects, rats, spiders, and such that plague dragons and dragon lairs. When not attached to a dragon, they feed on a variety of insects, arachnids, and small mammals.